Tobacco substitute

ABSTRACT

A tobacco substitute made from an herbal bulk, to which is added a casing. The casing is made from a hygroscopic agent, sugar, and flavoring. Nicotine can be added to the tobacco substitute, also. The tobacco substitute can be formed into cigarettes, used loose as pipe tobacco, used loose for a roll-your-own cigarette application, used loose for chewing tobacco, or pulverized for snuff.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the class Tobacco and the sub-classes of Compositions and Tobacco-substitutes, i.e., non-tobacco.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The history of humans smoking dates back over 7 millennium. Ancient cultures were smoking various substances as early as 5000 BC. Egyptians, Sumerians, Babylonians, Indians, and Chinese are all recorded to have smoked almost from the beginning of recorded history. Early civilizations smoked for ritual, community, and relaxation.

In the Americas, natives smoked tobacco well before the arrival of Europeans. However, the large-scale harvesting of tobacco began with the Virginia colony in the 16^(th) Century. Tobacco was among the first cash crops for the American colonies, and large tobacco plantations rapidly cleared the tidewater area of the Virginia colony. Tobacco farming grew across the colonial south, becoming one of the economic drivers for settling the new world. The need for cheap labor to work in the tobacco fields is often cited as one of the primary reasons for the slave trade in the New World.

Today, tobacco is a multi-billion dollar industry that has substantial externalities, that affects those who smoke and those who do not. Tobacco has several well-known health consequences for those who use it. Tobacco use can lead to lung and/or throat cancer. Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of heart disease. Tobacco causes emphysema. The tars in tobacco are associated with reduced circulation. From an esthetic standpoint, tobacco smoke yellows the teeth. Non-smokers generally find tobacco smoke objectionable.

The impact to the economy from use of tobacco far surpasses all of the taxes collected from smoking and dipping. Smokers have a shorter life-expectancy, and, on average, are substantially sicker than non-smokers. The healthcare costs for treating smoking- and tobacco-related disease are borne by smokers and non-smokers through government funding of Medicaid and Medicare, and through business and industry funding of employer-sponsored insurance.

Tobacco is problematic to grow. Tobacco rapidly depletes the soil. Soil that has grown tobacco for long periods of time can take generations to re-generate into farmland usable for ordinary agriculture. Growing tobacco requires industrial use of fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The fertilizer run-off can affect local streams and wetlands, leading to algae blooms and oxygen-depleted water.

Tobacco also has a wide variety of pests and plants that affect its growing. In order to control pests and plants, tobacco farmers use large quantities of highly toxic insecticides and pesticides. Many of these insecticides and pesticides leach into the local water table, contaminating water supplies.

Tobacco is a multi-billion dollar industry that has substantial externalities, that affects both those who smoke and those who do not. Nonetheless, the tobacco-market is large and growing. Worldwide retail sales of cigarettes in 2013 were $722 billion. In 2013, over 5.7 trillion cigarettes were sold to more than one billion smokers worldwide. Between 2001 and 2013, global cigarette volume sales increased by 7% while retail values increased 117%. Industry analysts predict that between 2014 and 2018, the global cigarette industry will grow: volumes are predicted to increase by 4% and value by 29%. A tobacco substitute is needed, one that is ubiquitous, benign, and perennial. More importantly, a tobacco substitute needs to faithfully resemble tobacco when smoked. The tobacco substitute should taste like tobacco, when smoked. The tobacco substitute should have the same pull when rolled into a cigarette. Pull is how easy it is to suck air through a cigarette. The smoke of the tobacco substitute should feel like tobacco smoke, when inhaled.

REVIEW OF THE PRIOR ART

The current prior art has not established a suitable tobacco substitute as evidenced by the continued dominance of tobacco in the cigarette market. A substantial amount of prior art exists for various herbal compositions that are intended as an herbal substitute. For example, several attempts have been made to blend loquat with various substances. See, for example, Chinese patent publication number CN201733840U (Chinese herbal medicine cigarette), blending loquat with mulberry, mugwort, and hyssop, inter alia; Chinese patent publication number CN101292778B (High-scent low-harm type cigarette and producing method thereof), blending frangipani and loquat; and Chinese patent application publication number CN102018284A (Botanic lung-nourishing cough-relieving phlegm-eliminating asthma-relieving natural aromatic functional cigarette), blending loquat with Chinese medicinal herbs. The prior art for loquat-containing cigarettes is concerned with making a healthier cigarette, when compared with tobacco. Unfortunately, loquat-containing cigarettes are not at all reminiscent of tobacco cigarettes in taste, pull, or feel.

Several attempts have been made to blend lotus with various substances in order to make a tobacco substitute. For example, see Chinese patent publication number CN100421589C (Tobacco-free cigarette), blending lotus with mulberry leaves, tomato leaves, corn leaves, eggplant leaves, and bamboo, inter alia; Chinese patent publication number CN1166304A (Health inhalation for giving up smoking), blending lotus with mulberry, coltsfoot, tea leaves, and fritillaria, inter alia; Chinese patent publication number CN1308907A (Health-care fragrant biochemical material as cigarette substitute), blending lotus with mulberry and bitter dish ma; and Chinese patent publication number CN1820664A (Tobacco-free cigarette), blending lotus with mulberry leaves, tomato leaves, corn leaves , eggplant leaves, and bamboo, inter alia. The prior art for lotus-containing cigarettes is concerned with making a healthier cigarette, when compared with tobacco. Unfortunately, lotus-containing cigarettes are not at all reminiscent of tobacco cigarettes in taste, pull, or feel.

Several attempts have been made to blend gynostemma with various substances in order to make a tobacco substitute. For example, Chinese patent publication number CN1056227A (Gynostemma laxum medicinal cigarette), using predominantly gynostemma for a tobacco substitute, inter alia; Chinese patent publication number CN1086979A (Yishen cigarette), blending gynostemma with calcium carbonate and methyl cellulose; and Chinese patent application publication number CN1059839A (Process for making up substitute of cigarette), blending gynostemma with various flavorings. The prior art for gynostemma-containing cigarettes is concerned with making a healthier cigarette, when compared with tobacco. Unfortunately, gynostemma-containing cigarettes are not at all reminiscent of tobacco cigarettes in taste, pull, or feel.

Several attempts have been made to blend chrysanthemum with various substances in order to make a tobacco substitute. For example, see Chinese patent publication number CN1302736C (Cigarette product containing Chinese herbal medicine), blending chrysanthemum with fig (leaf), Artemisia annua, mulberry leaves, honeysuckle, Epimedium, and gynostemma, inter alia. Chinese patent publication number CN101721538B (Health-care cigarette prepared from rhiizoma dioscoreae from Henan of China and chrysanthemum and used for reinforcing immunological function), blending chrysanthemum and rhiizoma dioscoreae; and Chinese patent publication number CN101731744B (Mixed cigarette essence and preparation method thereof), blending chrysanthemum with rose petals, fresh magnolia petals, jasmine petals, orange skin, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus leaves, coriander seed, osmanthus, and sweet almond. The prior art for chrysanthemum-containing cigarettes is concerned with making a healthier and/or more aromatic cigarette, when compared with tobacco. Unfortunately, chrysanthemum-containing cigarettes are not at all reminiscent of tobacco cigarettes in taste, pull, or feel.

In addition to the above references to mulberry being mixed with loquat, lotus, gynostemma, and chrysanthemum, several attempts have been made to blend mulberry with other various substances in order to make a tobacco substitute. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,421 (Alternate cigarette and method for preparing the same), blending mulberry (Morus bombycis Koidzumi) with of Artemisia vulgaris Linne, Ziziphus jujuba Miller, Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow, Asiasarum heterotropoides var. seoulense F. Maekawa, Eugenia caryophyllata Thunberg, Cnidium officinale Makino, Evodia officinalis Dode and Thuja orientalis Linne, inter alia; U.S. patent application publication number 20040094170 (Nicotine free cigarette substitute), blending shredded leaves of Morus alba L. (white mulberry), Synurus deltoids, Berchemia berchemiaefolia, and Eucomonia ulmodies OLIVER, inter alia; U.S. patent application publication number 20050263165 (Tobacco leaf substitute), blending leaves of Morus alba L (white mulberry) with Lillium longiflorum; and Chinese patent publication number CN1817252A (Cigarette made from mulberry leaf), blending mulberry with privet flowers. The prior art for mulberry-containing cigarettes is concerned with making a healthier cigarette, when compared with tobacco. All the prior art for mulberry-containing tobacco substitutes blend the mulberry leaves with other material Unfortunately, cigarettes containing mulberry blends are not at all reminiscent of tobacco cigarettes in taste, pull, or feel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention improves and expands on the prior art. The present invention is a tobacco substitute in which the tobacco has been replaced by an herbal bulk that is then treated with casing and nicotine, in order to mimic the taste, pull, and feel of tobacco. For the present invention, the herbal bulk can include any non-tobacco vegetable matter that is suitable for smoking. The herbal bulk may include, but is not limited to, marshmallow root, loquat, lotus, gynostemma, chrysanthemum, mulberry, clove, fig, corn leaves, ginko biloba, honeysuckle, epimedium, licorice, sweet potato leaves, privet flowers, mugwort, hyssop, storax, jasmine, Artemisia, dates, polygala, radix, eggplant leaves, salvia, angelica, or tea leaves. The herbal bulk is processed so that its composition is largely consistent with shredded cured burley tobacco. The process includes, as appropriate, de-stemming, de-seeding, shredding, steaming, curing, fermenting, and drying (firing).

An important part of the taste of a cigarette is the flavor. Casing is an added flavoring and conditioning mixture that is commonly used during tobacco processing. Casing is composed of hygroscopic agents and volatile and nonvolatile flavorings commonly applied to tobacco. The most common hygroscopic agents are glycerine, propylene glycol and diethylene glycol. The hygroscopic agents attract and retain water, through either absorption or adsorption. The sugars, sucrose, glucose, and fructose, make up the bulk of casing material. Common casing flavorings are anise, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, ginger, honey, licorice, maple, molasses, rum, and sugar, inter alia.

Casing may be added to the herbal bulk to condition it for processing and to enhance the flavor. With respect to the herbal bulk, casing may be added before, during, and after processing, as necessary. The casing added after firing may be applied in a cooler, depending on the ambient environment. The casing added after firing improves the flavor of the herbal bulk when smoked.

An important part of the feel of a cigarette is the nicotine that is ingested through the smoke. Nicotine can also be added to the tobacco substitute, in order for it to most completely mimic tobacco. Nicotine can be added into the tobacco substitute by adding it to the casing. This can be done either before or after firing. The nicotine can also be impregnated into the tobacco substitute as an after-process. When applied as an after-process, the nicotine must be suspended in a suitable liquid carrier. As an oily liquid, nicotine is soluble in alcohol. Nicotine liquid is also miscible in water at temperatures above 60° C. Nicotine can also be used as a salt, which is generally soluble in water. The nicotine suspension can then be sprayed on the tobacco substitute.

The tobacco substitute is then ready for any product for which tobacco is generally used: filtered cigarettes; unfiltered cigarettes; loose tobacco substitute for use in roll-your-own cigarette processes; loose tobacco substitute for pipes; or tobacco substitute used as snuff or chew.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated with four drawings. FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of a filtered cigarette. FIG. 2 is an isometric front view of an unwrapped, filtered cigarette. FIG. 3 is an isometric front view of an unfiltered cigarette. FIG. 4 is an isometric front view of an unwrapped, unfiltered cigarette.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, but rather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the tobacco substitute used as a cigarette. FIG. 1 shows an isometric front view of a cigarette 1. The cigarette 1 may be manufactured or may be constructed by the consumer as a roll-your-own cigarette using loose tobacco substitute. The tobacco substitute replaces the traditional tobacco in the tobacco substitute rod 5. The tobacco substitute rod 5 is encased in an cylinder of cigarette paper 4. The filter 2 of the cigarette 1 is encased in a cylinder of tipping paper 3.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric front view of the cigarette 1, unwrapped. FIG. 2 more fully illustrates the filter 2, tobacco substitute rod 5, and the cigarette paper 4. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show isometric front views of an unfiltered cigarette. The tobacco substitute replaces the traditional tobacco in the tobacco substitute rod 5. The tobacco substitute rod is encased in a cylinder of cigarette paper 4. 

1. A tobacco substitute comprising an herbal bulk treated with one or more applications of casing; said herbal bulk being non-tobacco vegetation suitable for smoking; and said casing being comprised of a hygroscopic agent, sugar and flavoring.
 2. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, in which the hygroscopic agent is one or more of the following: glycerine, propylene glycol and diethylene glycol.
 3. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, in which the sugar is one or more of the following: sucrose, glucose, and fructose.
 4. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, in which the flavoring is one or more of the following: anise, brandy, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, ghee, ginger, honey, licorice, maple, molasses, nutmeg, pepper, rum, and vanilla.
 5. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, in which the herbal bulk is comprised of one or more of the following: marshmallow root, loquat, lotus, gynostemma, chrysanthemum, mulberry, clove, fig, corn leaves, ginko biloba, honeysuckle, epimedium, licorice, sweet potato leaves, privet flowers, mugwort, hyssop, storax, jasmine, Artemisia, dates, polygala, radix, eggplant leaves, salvia, angelica, and tea leaves.
 6. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, in which the herbal bulk is fermented.
 7. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, in which nicotine has been added to the casing.
 8. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, wherein said tobacco substitute is formed into a cigarette.
 9. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, wherein said tobacco substitute is used loose, in a roll-you-own cigarette process.
 10. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, wherein said tobacco substitute is used loose as chewing tobacco.
 11. The tobacco substitute in claim 1, wherein said tobacco substitute is powdered and used as snuff.
 12. A tobacco substitute comprising an herbal bulk to which nicotine is added; said herbal bulk being non-tobacco vegetation suitable for smoking.
 13. The tobacco substitute in claim 12, to which casing has been added, said casing being comprised of a hygroscopic agent, sugar, nicotine, and flavoring.
 14. The tobacco substitute in claim 13, in which the hygroscopic agent is one or more of the following: glycerine, propylene glycol and diethylene glycol.
 15. The tobacco substitute in claim 13, in which the sugar is one or more of the following: sucrose, glucose, and fructose.
 16. The tobacco substitute in claim 13, in which the flavoring is one or more of the following: anise, brandy, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, ghee, ginger, honey, licorice, maple, molasses, nutmeg, pepper, rum, and vanilla.
 17. The tobacco substitute in claim 12, in which the herbal bulk is comprised of one or more of the following: marshmallow root, loquat, lotus, gynostemma, chrysanthemum, mulberry, clove, fig, corn leaves, ginko biloba, honeysuckle, epimedium, licorice, sweet potato leaves, privet flowers, mugwort, hyssop, storax, jasmine, Artemisia, dates, polygala, radix, eggplant leaves, salvia, angelica, and tea leaves.
 18. The tobacco substitute in claim 12, in which the herbal bulk is fermented.
 19. The tobacco substitute in claim 12, wherein said tobacco substitute is formed into a cigarette.
 20. The tobacco substitute in claim 12, wherein said tobacco substitute is used loose, in a roll-you-own cigarette process.
 21. The tobacco substitute in claim 12, wherein said tobacco substitute is used loose as chewing tobacco.
 22. The tobacco substitute in claim 12, wherein said tobacco substitute is powdered and used as snuff.
 23. A tobacco substitute consisting essentially of the leaves of one or more species of the Family Moraceae.
 24. The tobacco substitute in claim 23, further comprising one or more applications of casing flavorings; wherein said casing is comprised of a hygroscopic agent, sugar and flavoring.
 25. The tobacco substitute in claim 23, in which said leaves are from one or more of the following species: Morus alba L. (White Mulberry), Morus australis Poir. (Chinese Mulberry), Morus bombycis Koidzumi, Morus cathayana Hemsl., Morus celtidifolia Kunth, Morus indica L, Morus insignis Bureau, Morus japonica Audib., Morus liboensis S.S. Chang, Morus macroura Miq., Morus mesozygia Stapf, Morus microphylla Buckley (Texas Mulberry), Morus mongolica (Bureau) C. K. Schneid., Morus nigra L. (Black Mulberry), Morus notabilis C. K. Schneid., Morus rubra L. (Red Mulberry), Morus serrata Roxb., Morus trilobata (S. S. Chang) Z. Y. Cao, or Morus wittiorum Hand.-Mazz. 